Animal Shelters Are Bringing Happiness To Rhode Islanders

Melancholy — it’s a word that conjures hopelessness and feelings of depression. Happiness is a crucial part of a person’s life but many people have lost this due to the Coronavirus pandemic. People have suffered, families have lost loved ones, and businesses have lost income to the point of having to close for good. In many cases, animal shelters and their furry friends have restored happiness to people’s lives by putting a smile on their faces.

Brittany Curran, a North Kingstown animal control officer and head of the North Kingstown Animal Shelter, has seen a decrease in the number of animals in her shelter. “Most, if not all, of our animals have been adopted during the pandemic, so it’s been positive on that aspect.” The shelter has taken safety protocols to keep workers safe, but helping others get a fluffy companion is the organization’s number one goal. “It always feels great to make an adoption match. I always feel accomplished,” Curran said.

Many shelters across the country have seen staff shortages during this difficult time. The North Kingstown shelter has not had as many volunteers because they do not want to put them at risk of getting the virus. But with those staff shortages, more animals have kept coming into the shelters. “More people want to adopt during COVID-19,” Curran said. EcoWatch, a non-government organization and online environmental news company, said, “Animals are being abandoned: Unfounded fears of animal to human transmission of the virus has led to spikes in abandonments and overflowing shelters without the staff or resources to care for them.”

Becky Quigley, of North Kingstown, has two grey kittens to keep her company. “It’s nice to have them to come home to,” she said. She works on the front lines at Dave’s Marketplace and having her kittens, which she got a few months ago, has been a welcoming feeling. Quigley has wanted cats for a while and decided now was the perfect time to get them. “I’ve been wanting them for a long time and then my friend asked me and I was like, okay!” Having her new furry companions has helped her cope during the pandemic. Her brother passed away and her family was not able to have a proper funeral due to Covid restrictions. It was tough on her because she was close to her brother. “He wasn’t able to be laid to rest for four months. It definitely made the situation harder. But then we were finally able to put him to rest,” she said. Quigley did not have her cats during the death of her brother but has noticed since getting them, it has made it easier to cope.

Having pets helps people battle through difficult situations. Pets also lessen anxiety, depression and stress. “It’s the companionship and responsibilities that help people with those disabilities and issues. An animal is looking for unconditional love,” said Curran. Pets offer the feeling of friendship and become members of the family; dogs are, indeed, a man’s best friend.

Kate DiPadua, of Coventry, considers her black cats, Teddy and Nala, like family. “Having my cats has definitely made this pandemic easier to go through,” she said. The pandemic has impacted her life because she has been working at home since it started a year ago. She works for AAA in the travel marketing department and the switch has been hard. Each day is different and her cats give her the boost she needs to make it through the day. “They’re my kids, I treat them like family and they just make me really happy.”

With the increase of animals being adopted, Curran has had to keep the shelter Covid-safe. In order to adopt, future pet owners have to schedule an appointment. She also doesn’t let many people inside so her staff and animals are protected. “All donations stay outside for 24 hours before being brought into the building,” she said, “and are immediately washed once inside.”

Each of them is looking forward to the pandemic coming to an end. Quigley is eager to finally remove her mask — for good. DiPadua is going to have a nice post-pandemic party with her friends and family. And Curran plans on socializing with friends and family.

“I’m lucky to have a job,” Curran said, “and be a working first responder with mouths to feed at the shelter.”